Toto and His Sisters #HotDocs15 | APR 24 – MAY 1

The Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival 2015 is screening “Toto and His Sisters (Romania 2014)”, a documentary by Romanian director Alexander Nanau, part of the World Showcase program.

Ten-year-old Toto and his teenaged sisters Andreea and Ana try to keep the family intact while their mother is away serving a prison sentence. Left to their own devices, the siblings do their best to raise themselves and each other, without parental supervision or support. The only adult influence in their lives is an uncle who quickly turns their apartment into a drug den, forcing the kids to find refuge outside of the home. While Ana remains at the apartment, Andreea and Toto retreat to an orphanage where they enjoy a modicum of security, and, for the first time, some carefree fun. Not wanting to leave their sister behind, Andreea attempts to convince Ana to join them—her desperation caught on video in especially agonising diary scenes. Filmmaker Alexander Nanau chronicles a devastatingly grim story about childhood innocence lost with phenomenal patience, persistence and heart. Toto and His Sisters is essential viewing; deeply moving observational documentary filmmaking at its best. By Angie Driscoll.

Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival is North America’s largest documentary festival, conference and market, and takes place in Toronto, Canada. Each year, the Festival presents a selection of more than 200 cutting-edge documentaries from Canada and around the globe. Through its industry programs, Hot Docs also provides a full range of professional development, market and networking opportunities for documentary professionals. In partnership with Blue Ice Group, Hot Docs operates the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema, a century-old landmark located in Toronto’s Annex neighbourhood.

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